One Lucky Day

Lucky
(This is the only picture I used with a dog I know)

I have been quite busy for the last month and a half. I have had visitors, staycations, outpatient surgery, and conferences. Don’t get me wrong; I loved them all except for the operation. However, I had to return to work so having one day to rest and do nothing seemed like a great plan. That planned day off did not go as planned.

I love my dog. My dog appears to love me, as well. He is an 8-year-old, 75-pound lap dog named Lucky. He likes to lie on the sofa next to me, and all of his weight rests on my leg. After being gone for several days, Lucky could not wait to cuddle with me. That moment of smelling him helped me decide to bring him to the groomer.

Having Lucky groomed professionally is something I have contemplated for some time. I have even emailed this particular business about the process. I explained that my dog is a sweet dog but nervous. He has never been to a professional groomer, and the only human he has tried to bite is the veterinarian when he gets his annual shots.  They assured me it would be no problem.

Lucky was excited to go for a ride. He even went into the little business with no hesitancy since he did not recognize this place as the vet. I again explained his temperament and helped him get into the kennel until it was his turn. They assured me he was in good hands. I went home with an estimated time for when I could retrieve him.

Two hours later, they called and said they could not groom him. I rushed to go pick him up. When I arrived, he was neither in the kennel nor on a leash. There was a leash on his back that was not connected because he would not let them near him. They tried getting him back in the kennel, but he attempted to bite them, and his 75-pound frame is awkward to handle when his nerves are on edge.

The moment I walked in the front door, Lucky became the happiest and most calm dog around. I connected his leash to the collar, and he sat next to me acting sweet. The groomers could not believe the change in his behavior. I took him home, and my wife and I did what the groomers could not.

What was the difference in the few minutes? He reunited with his “father.”

Maybe we should be a little more like Lucky. All the other dogs were calm and obedient, but it was strangers that were making the changes to them. To Lucky, the groomer was the enemy. Lucky would not let the enemy even come close to him.

This world has a lot to offer people. Some of it may be good while other aspects are not beneficial. We sometimes let strangers make changes to our lives. We should be careful of what or who influences our thoughts and behaviors. We cannot afford to let the enemy have his way with us.

So who should we let influence us or even make changes to our lives? The answer for me is my heavenly father. He alone can bring peace to my situation. His teaching and direction should be the source of my influence. He brings me comfort and life, while the enemy, the devil, brings turmoil. 

John 10:10 - A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.